It's not too early to buy tickets for the first-ever Lights On Afterschool! Ducky Derby scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 1 at Michigan's Adventure.

The fundraiser, which will benefit after-school programming throughout Muskegon County, will launch hundreds of rubber "duckies" down a water slide and into the amusement park's Lazy River. Lights On Afterschool! is a United Way of the Lakeshore initiative with sites at Oakview, Grace Loftis, Orchard View, Ealy and Oehrli elementary schools.

Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 at Taste of Muskegon this weekend, as well as at Michigan's Adventure, United Way of the Lakeshore, Sun Wind & Rain, the Muskegon Museum Mercantile gift shop, The Cheese Lady, Hegg's Furniture, Huntington Bank, Clay Avenue Cellars and The Station Gallery, Glamazon Salon, Mia and Grace Bakery & Bistro, Wasserman's Floral and Gifts, McDonald's Homemade Candy and Art Cats Gallery.

What's a duck race without a prize? The winning duck will win $1,000 cash. Other prizes include a bike donated by J.C. Penney, three-month memberships to the Muskegon Family YMCA and gift certificates to Sun Wind & Rain and Hegg's Furniture.